He looked at Alice and then at the ring in my hand.
“How could you be so shameless, Viola?” he yelled in front of everyone.
“You’re basically robbing someone right now! You really have no class. If you keep behaving like this, I’ll break up with you!”
All eyes in the room turned to me—confusion, disdain, disgust — like sharp daggers, each one digging deep into my heart.
I had lost the last shred of dignity I shared with Justin.
I gazed at the man I had loved for so long, tears streaming down my face.
How much better would it have been if I had just started dating Quentin from the beginning?
How could I have wasted my youth on such a scumbag?
Collin, who had always played the peacemaker, fell silent.
He gently patted my back and handed me a tissue to wipe away my tears.
I smiled at him gratefully.
We were not very close, but I knew he wouldn’t treat me the way Justin did.
“We’ve been together for three years, and in your eyes, I’m just a shameless woman who steals rings?” I asked, my voice shaking.
“Why don’t you trust me? Why do you only listen to her?”
Justin studied my expression closely as if trying to uncover the truth.
“Alice is different from you. She’s from a prestigious family, the daughter of a wealthy family. You’re from an ordinary background—”
What a laughable worldview.
“So, are rich people always good and poor people always bad? How ridiculous! You’re a joke! Everything about you!” I exploded.
“You waver in your feelings and have no clear understanding of the world. Without your looks and wealth, you’re nothing but a fool!”
“Shut up!” Justin shouted, taken aback by my words. He had turned red with anger and glared at me fiercely.
I held back my tears, trying to speak as calmly as possible.
“The gemstone on this ring is mine, and I want it back. You can keep the band.”
Justin turned his head away with a cold grunt. “Fine.”
“Great, I’ll contact the jeweler.”
I immediately reached out to the jeweler and explained the situation.
He replied almost instantly. “On my way. I’ll be there within 30 minutes.”
After a moment’s thought, I added, “And bring the design sketches for my ring too.”
